Avalanche kills 5 in Himachal

Shimla (Jan 19): Five persons were killed and two injured when an avalanche hit Jungra panchayat of Tissa Sub division of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh.

The bodies of the victims were yet to be recovered. Those killed were Lal Sen, Yusuf, Rasim Mohammad, Haneef Mohammad and Baghusan. Two of the injured, Haneef and Musa, were being brought to Chamba for treatment.

All the persons were local Gujjars, reports reaching here said.

The district administration had already warned the people in high altitude tribal areas of Chamba, Pangi and Lahaul against avalanche threat and urged them not to venture out.

Meanwhile extreme cold wave spell continued in entire Himachal Pradesh with reports of snowfall around Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra and Chamba districts. Snow fall was reported from Mcleodganj, Tissa and Salooni areas in Chamba district. Chamba Pathankot highway was reportedly closed due to snow fall.